Climate Change in Amherst
Amherst received funding in 2019 from the state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program to identify and prioritize local climate hazards, strengths, and vulnerabilities across the town’s infrastructural, societal, and environmental systems.
Top climate hazards in Amherst, according to the MVP report, include:
- increased heat
- increased precipitation
- drought
- extreme weather events like heavy rainfall, hurricanes, and snowstorms.
These hazards create climate risks like increased flooding, power outages, transit interruptions, and damage to trees and infrastructure.
Also included in the MVP report were Amherst's key strengths. These included:
- existing renewable energy development
- strong community networks and organizations
- excellent municipal resources
- a culture of climate activism
Key vulnerabilities named were related to potential impacts of climate change on Amherst’s water supply, wastewater system, and aging housing stock in addition to communication barriers and uneven access to resources among residents.
